A controversial plan to complete gas works at a green space in Sittingbourne is set to go ahead after the local authority dropped its opposition to the proposal.

Kent County Council wants to complete pipe maintenance repairs at Borden Nature Reserve, which is designated by the parish council as an area of natural significance and is popular with walkers.

Dotted throughout the site, off Cryalls Lane, which used to be used for landfill, are gas monitoring and extraction points, which link to buried pipes that KCC wants to work on.

However, at two previous planning committee meetings, Swale councillors chose to extend a holding objection to the project, arguing KCC had not made public documents and information showing the repairs were needed.

But at a meeting last Thursday members voted to drop their opposition to the project provided KCC made concessions about certain aspects of the plan.

These include taking significantly less than the allocated two years KCC has given to complete the work, and making certain it does not disturb any badger setts.

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire (Con), who covers the Grove Park and Borden ward and has consistently opposed the plans, refused to back the project.

He said he was “disappointed” members were still discussing the plan after previously voting to object to it, and argued that KCC’s submission of more detailed information about the project did not resolve “a lot of unanswered questions” about traffic movement of heavy goods vehicles to and from the site, and the hours the work would be carried out in.

He added: “I would ask members of this committee to continue to refuse this application.”

A KCC spokesman earlier said the work was a necessity and would cause a minimal disturbance.

It is unclear whether KCC will agree to carry out the work in a much shorter time period.